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One extended voyage circling the Australian Coast has been cancelled days after the fatal incident of an older lady who was left behind by the vessel on a distant coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on the tropical location with shipmates from the cruise ship, but parted ways from the excursion for a pause. The vessel sailed away leaving her and went back after some time after the personnel became aware the passenger was not present.

An extensive search operation found her remains the next day.

Officials are looking into the incident, together with investigators and the state coroner.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator announced that travelers and crew on the vessel were told that the remainder of the journey had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and earlier mechanical issues".

In a statement, he mentioned that passengers would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the organization was working "to arrange the return journeys of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Regulatory bodies also published an updated statement, and said they had "issued a order to the Captain" preventing any new passengers from boarding the ship.

The official said that they would attend the vessel in Cairns upon its coming back.

Timeline of Events

The ship originally sailed from the Australian port on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the expedition at the time of the 80-year-old's demise. The tropical location was the first stop on the journey.

Passengers on the ship - who generally pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the expedition - were transported there for a shore visit with the choice of trekking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Statement

The child of the elderly passenger said that her family was "surprised and saddened that the vessel left the island after an organised tour without my parent".

Through her comments, she characterized her parent as an "energetic elderly person" who was a affiliate of a walking group.

"From the little facts we have been informed, it seems that there was a lapse of attention and common sense," she stated.

She added that she desired the investigation would be able to determine what "the company should have done that might have protected Mum's being".

"We understand from the police that it was a very hot afternoon, and she fell ill on the hill climb," she stated.

"Officials suggested her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the boat left, reportedly without conducting a headcount.

"At some stage in that chain of events, or shortly after, she died, alone."

Organization Position

In a statement, the Head confirmed that the operator was "working closely with investigators to assist their examination".

He said that the firm was "deeply sorry that this has happened" and had provided its complete assistance to the relatives.

Shipping Sector Practices

The ship caters for up to 120 guests with forty-six crew, according to corporate details. It was purpose-built to enter remote areas of the Australian coastline and is fitted with "tenders" - compact vessels used to ferry individuals on land visits.

Events of this nature are uncommon, and liners have systems to track which passengers are getting on or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Leaving covertly or [back] on the ship really isn't an possibility," one expert commented.

Cruise lines consider these procedures very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to stop such incidents from occurring," the authority further stated.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and tragic - one-off."